Christmas Trees Can Be Messy!

Christmas trees are a staple of the holiday season. The twinkling lights and fresh scent brighten the mood of your living room—but the constant needle shedding and lingering pollen can dampen the festive mood. Christmas tree care can be a sticky and prickly task, so consider the steps below to keep the holiday cheer (and your tree) alive!

Christmas Tree Care Tips

Once a tree is cut, the base forms a seal of sap that prevents the tree from absorbing water. To keep your tree from drying out, make a fresh cut about an inch above the original cut right before you put it in water. Keep your tree watered—a thirsty tree is more likely to drop needles. Check the water basin often to ensure the base of the tree is fully submerged. It only takes a couple of hours for the tree to form a seal of dried sap. Pro Tip: Most trees will drink a gallon of water in the first day; pay close attention the first 24 hours!

Lay a skirt underneath your tree—not only will it look great, but it’ll help catch falling needles. Try to decorate your tree (including lights) when the tree is freshly cut; you’ll shed more needles as you decorate the longer you wait after the tree was cut. Keep a vacuum nearby. No matter how much you water your tree, you’re bound to lose some needles. We recommend using a hose attachment to suck needles off the skirt.

How to ’Eschew’ Christmas Tree Pollens

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t the pollen from your tree that triggers most allergies—it’s the dust and mold lingering on your tree. To minimize seasonal allergies, make sure to thoroughly shake your tree before bringing it inside to try to get the most dust off as possible. Even consider wiping or hosing down your tree with water and a tiny amount of bleach to kill mold and wash away pollen. Don’t forget to let it dry thoroughly before setting it up!

Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to shake or bounce your tree before you purchase it. If it loses a lot of needles during the shake-out, you may want to choose a fresher tree that is more fragrant and less messy.

If you follow our above Christmas tree tips, not only will your tree look great, but family and friends will be sneezing less and celebrating more. The holiday season can be stressful, especially if you’re hosting out-of-town guests. Let You've Got Maids help relieve some stress with a one-time clean before your festivities begin.